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Contact Info
Home Town Beloit
Last Address Vice Admiral Reichmuth died in August 1978 in San Francisco California.
Vice Admiral Ferdinand Louis Reichmuth (pronounced Rike-muth), born at Beloit, Iowa, April 11, 1881 with father Ferdinand G. C. Reichmuth and mother Johana Christiane "Clotilde" Graff a German immigrant from Colleda, Thüringen. He attended Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin, before his appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy from the state of Wisconsin in 1902. While a Midshipman he was a member of the rowing crew. Graduated in February 1906, he served the two years at sea then required by law before he was commissioned Ensign in February 1908. His subsequent promotions were as follows: Lieutenant (junior grade), February 13, 1911; Lieutenant, October 11, 1911; Lieutenant Commander, July 1, 1911; Commander, December 20, 1921; Captain, October 1, 1930 and Rear Admiral, May 1, 1940. On February 27, 1942, he was promoted to Vice Admiral for service as Commander Service Force, Atlantic Fleet. He reverted to his permanent rank of Rear Admiral on August 22, 1942, and was placed on the Retired List of the Navy in that rank on August 1, 1946. His promotion to Vice Admiral on the Retired List of the Navy was confirmed by the U. S. Senate on May 28, 1948.
Other Comments:
Legion of Merit
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., Commandant, Potomac River Naval Command, and Superintendent, United States Naval Gun Factory, September 15, 1942 to April 10, 1946. Displaying foresight and initiative. Rear Admiral Reichmuth organized and administered the large number of Naval Personnel assigned to the Washington Area. As Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory, he was instrumental in enlarging the production of his factory, and In training numerous personnel to guide the successful production elsewhere, In addition, he supervised the design, development and construction of new and improved guns and mounts, thereby contributing to the creation of a Navy second to none. His sound judgment high professional attainments and unwavering demotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Rear Admiral Reichmuth and the United States Naval Service."
World War I Victory Medal, Atlantic Fleet Clasp
American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp
American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal
Nevada Class Battleship:
Displacement 27,500 Tons, Dimensions, 583' (oa) x 95' 3" x 29' 7" (Max) Armament 10 x 14"/45 21 x 5"/51, 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Triple Turrets, 16" Dual turrets, 3" Second (armor) Deck, 2 1/2" Third (splinter) Deck 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 24,800 IHP; 2 vertical, Triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 20.5 Knots, Crew 864. Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York, Shipbuilding, Camden, NJ., October 26, 1912. Launched March 23, 1914. Commissioned May 2, 1916. Decommissioned (War Loss). Stricken September 1, 1944. Fate: Sunk by Japanese aircraft during attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii, December 7, 1941. 20 Officers and 395 Men were lost with the ship and remain on duty.
Her hulk was raised in 1943, Sold for scrap December 5 1946. Hulk sank while under tow to breakers, 540 miles NE, Pearl Harbor, May 17, 1947.
